Chess: A Game to Consider

By Derek Chen

Chess is a game of immense skill and strategy.  Each game begins on a checkered patterned battlefield that contains 64 individual squares.  The white king starts by commanding one of his loyal soldiers to advance.  Those soldiers include pawns, bishops, knights, rooks, and queens.  After the white king moves, the black king responds and advances one of their pieces.  It goes on and on until one of the kings gets checkmated, meaning that the king is in check, but there are no legal moves that allow it to leave the check.  Many people believe that chess is only for intellectual people, but that is NOT true.  Anybody can play chess, regardless of intelligence, age, and skill.  

For those in our school who do play chess, most of them play chess online, because they didn’t know that they had another option.  They do, and it's every Thursday in room 33, where a group of future grandmasters gather together to learn and play chess after school, and if you are new?  No problem, they will teach you how to play.  Every game of chess is a whole new experience, “Every match I play, I feel like I’m in a new world of possibilities,"  said an anonymous chess club member.  

Another reason to join our school’s Chess Club is to relax your mind and body.  Studies have shown that playing a game of chess can help you focus better. The relaxation that comes from chess could reduce your stress levels from school.  Chess could also help your thinking skills and your cognitive skills, which are essential skills in life.

Another life skill that could be learned from chess, is to never give up.  When things get difficult, for example, when you plateau at a certain ELO, you have to keep going and play more games, until you break that plateau.  

If you’re looking for a place where you can play chess with your friends, or you want to learn chess, Chess Club is the place for you!

DIY Club:

 A Place For All

By Derek Chen

Sometimes people feel excluded because they're bullied for their race, gender, or ethnicity.  In our school, there is a place for anyone who feels that way and/or who wants to work towards making it sure no one in our school feels that way, ever.  Every Thursday, DIY Club meets in room 41 with Mr. Liberatore, where members discuss daily issues of excluding people in school, or they gather together to celebrate new cultures.  

Their ultimate goal is to try to make our school free of racism and discrimination one step at a time.  DIY Club is also a place where people could talk about their own personal experiences and what they notice at school, freely, without judgement.  “I felt like I could speak my mind at DIY Club,” an anonymous former DIY member in 9th grade told me.  “DIY Club was like a safe place for me to talk to everyone about my experiences.”  I’m 100% sure that everyone has been discriminated against at least once in their lifetime, whether it’d be a peer or an adult, it has happened at least one point.  An example of discrimination, is if someone gossips about someone else because of their appearance.

At DIY Club, there is no room for discrimination.  Studies have shown that discrimination and racism can lead to stress and depression in adolescents and adults,  leading to more self-harm.  With less discrimination in this world, there will be more peace and harmony in this world. 

Join the DIY Club today, to help them with their cause, and reduce the amount of discrimination and racism.  Anybody of all races, genders, or ethnicities are welcome and everyone would have a safe space to talk.

Future Leaders

By Roo Vance

The Student Council plays an important role in shaping school life. It gives students a voice, builds leadership skills, and brings the school community together through events, service projects, and student‑led initiatives. Each year, students begin with ideas, enthusiasm, and a desire to make a difference and this year was no exception.

These students will worked together to plan activities, support classmates, and help create a positive, spirited school environment.

6th Grade Student Council Officers

The 6th grade class elected a group of leaders ready to bring fresh ideas and energy to the council.

• President: DeAngelo Cabrera

• Vice President: Soren Tischler‑Leonardo

• Secretary: Coco Gagne

• Treasurer: Lily Cardella

• Social Directors: Julia Cuccaro & Mia Mach

These students helped guide their grade through its first year in middle school, organizing events and representing their classmates’ voices.

 7th Grade Student Council Officers

The 7th grade class chose a team known for teamwork, creativity, and dedication.

• President: Pascal Guirma

• Vice President: Gianna Clough

• Secretary: Ella Torre

• Treasurer: Mila Blankenship

• Social Director: Ben Ingersoll

As returning middle schoolers, they brought experience and leadership that will helped strengthen school spirit and student involvement.

8th Grade Student Council Officers

Our 8th graders now the leaders of the school elected a strong group ready to make their final year memorable.

• President: Tiffany Chainam

• Vice President: Max Starr

• Secretary: Aaliyah Baxter

• Treasurer: Sophia Knoblock

• Social Director: Roo Vance

This team helped lead major school events, mentor younger students, and is on track to leave a lasting legacy.

The Year in Review

The student council accomplished a lot this year. From planning spirit days and fundraisers to addressing student concerns and improving school life, these officers worked hard to make sure every student felt included and heard.

Next year, the Student Council will look for the next group of leaders to lead our school.  It is a great place to be involved!

Anime and Reflections:  

Two Clubs in a Library

by Iris Curtis

The Anime and Reflections Clubs often meet together and share ideas, drawings, writing, and of course, snacks! The reason for this is due to the fact that both clubs meet on Wednesdays and because a lot of people who partake in Reflections, also participate in Anime Club. So in the beginning of the year, students had to choose which club to go to. Ms. Perez, the teacher who runs Reflections, and Ms. Ibraham, the teacher who runs the Anime club, recognized this and held a lot of joint meetings.

What Happened This Year?

Throughout the year, Anime Club created pins, drew pictures, and discussed and watched anime. Students were able to draw a small design and turn it into a round pin that you can wear, put on something, and decorate different objects. 

Reflections worked to draw pictures, and write pieces to be brought to life in the Reflections Magazine. Later in the year, members found artwork around the school, and included it into the magazine as well. Students also worked to format a magazine with all these components.

What is to Come?

Anime Club just held their elections for next year. Bennet Williams is going to be President, Ilona Koledits will be Vice President, Maddie Williams will be Secretary, and Iris Curtis will be Treasurer. Reflections will soon be publishing their magazine, and both clubs will celebrate their successes.